One thing I like about Microids as a publisher is how they take a chance on obscure little brands for game experiences. They did not one but two animated Asterix brawlers that were good fun. And then we got UFO Robot Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves, based on a cult animated series from long ago. (Worth rediscovering, by the way.) For its latest trick, it’s revisited a 1983 anime called Space Adventure Cobra. Yes, kids, another classic unearthed. And it takes center stage in Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening, a run-and-gun title with a heaping amount of heart.
Featuring clips from the show (so you don’t have to do too much homework), Space Adventure Cobra throws you into 12 episodes of action. It tells you the story of Cobra and his crew, going up against some dangerous adversaries.
There are moments where the gameplay is a bit off, particularly with your grappling hook and certain platforming elements. But that’s not enough to throw the exciting action out of the loop. The presentation is good as well, with that “vintage” touch straight out of the anime.
Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening is another noteworthy offering from Microids, filled with replay value and lots of fun old-school goodness. It can get a little on the tough side – particularly with its gameplay quirks – but it’s still fun.
Space Adventure Cobra Will Scratch That Nostalgic Itch
So if you’re familiar with Metal Slug and Contra, Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening will be right at home with you. You guide our hero through the 12 different episodes, shooting your way to greatness. You can stop and aim with more precision, though the run-and-gun isn’t bad. I would’ve preferred the use of the right analog stick, but general aiming still works.
That said, the platforming is a bit…less than smooth? Sometimes you miss a ledge or two (not the end of the world) and the grappling hook is a bit unpredictable at times. But, in general, you still get to kick butt and take names with very little failure.
Be ready for a fight, though. The difficulty can jump around a bit, being easy in some places and tougher in others. And yes, the boss battles are a handful. But, again, it all clicks thanks to great controls, and plenty of ways to deliver chaos with your range of abilities. (Plus I like having an old-school revolver than shatters shields. Yes please.)
With its hearty length, Space Adventure Cobra will certainly keep you busy. Plus, you can bring a friend along for two-player co-op, straight out of the Contra blueprint. It’s not online, but does make for good couch sessions.
Is there stuff I would’ve improved with Space Adventure Cobra gameplay-wise? Sure. But as it stands, it channels the old-school while barely missing a beat. And speaking of old-school…
Space Adventure Cobra Gets That Anime Flavor Down
Microids deserves a nod for staying true to the source material with Space Adventure Cobra. This looks like an 80s adventure throughout, complete with cheesy cutscenes and entertaining (though not incredibly bad) dialogue. You can skip parts of the story and jump into the action if you prefer, but you’ll be missing out. Stick around and take in the whole thing.
The side-scrolling action looks pretty good on Steam Deck, though other platforms – like the Nintendo Switch – may vary. I like the use of colorful backdrops both indoors and outdoors, and the enemy variety isn’t bad. And it has that anime-style flair to make it all come together.
Along with that, solid voicework can be heard throughout. Plus the soundtrack sounds like it comes straight from the anime, complete with fun little rhythms. And those sound effects? I’d like to meet the team that worked on that.
Blast From the Past, Literally
Would I have liked Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening to be a bit longer? Sure, but it sounds like, from the title, there will be more where this came from. And considering this only covers part of the anime saga, you can bet a sequel’s coming. But this lays down some great groundwork, and anime and run-and-gun fans alike are sure to be giddy with the result.
Minor problems aside – and, to be fair, they are minor – Space Adventure Cobra is yet another winner from Microids, sitting alongside Grendizer. And that’s good company to have. So, what anime will they cover next? Hmmmm.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Microids for providing a review code! Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening is available now for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
